Initiative to improve patient safety, accuracy and accessibility of product information through new data synchronization standard

The Total Visibility Project is a new data synchronization standard that will improve the accuracy and accessibility of product information available to the healthcare supply chain.

Specifically, the project enables an initial one time publication of product data to the Global Data Synchronization Network (GDSN), an automated, standards-based global environment for the electronic transfer of standardized product information between trading partners. To provide hospitals access to accurate product data information, Premier and other members of HSCA engage in data synchronization through GDSN. The GDSN helps enable secure, continuous data synchronization over time. All participating group purchasing organizations (GPOs) and their hospital and provider members will now have access to shared product information through the GDSN.

“For years, we’ve advocated for supply chain standards that further enhance patient safety and reduce costs in the healthcare industry sector,” said John Biggers, senior vice president of group purchasing at Premier, a HSCA member. “Sharing product data through GDSN ensures healthcare providers have immediate access to a common set of product data, enabling them to get the right product to the right patient at the right time.”

HSCA collaborated with GS1 and the Healthcare Industry Supply Chain Institute (HISCI) on the project. Premier has also partnered with 1WorldSync to facilitate the sharing of product data through GDSN.

GS1 has identified a number of attributes recommended for the U.S. healthcare supply chain. Premier operates the first GPO to announce its endorsement of GS1 supply chain standards, and was the first organization to expect its contracted suppliers to comply with this important initiative. Use of the standards allows supply chain stakeholders to definitively identify all items purchased by healthcare providers, and efficiently exchange and update this information.

To advance data synchronization and simplify the publication of product attributes, HSCA has identified the Minimum Product Attributes that all suppliers, manufacturers and GPOs providing data to the GDSN may use to fulfill HSCA member attribute requirements.

About Premier Inc.

Premier Inc. (NASDAQ: PINC) is a leading healthcare improvement company, uniting an alliance of approximately 3,750 U.S. hospitals and more than 130,000 other provider organizations. With integrated data and analytics, collaboratives, supply chain solutions, and advisory and other services, Premier enables better care and outcomes at a lower cost. Premier, a Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award recipient, plays a critical role in the rapidly evolving healthcare industry, collaborating with members to co-develop long-term innovations that reinvent and improve the way care is delivered to patients nationwide. Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., Premier is passionate about transforming American healthcare. Please visit Premier’s news and investor sites on www.premierinc.com; as well as Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram and Premier’s blog for more information about the company.

Contact

Transforming Healthcare Together ®

877.777.1552 - Weekdays from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. CT

Premier, Inc.Charlotte, NCPremier, Inc. (Nasdaq: PINC) is a healthcare performance improvement alliance of approximately 3,000 U.S. hospitals and 110,000 other providers. Our mission is simple: To improve the health of communities.

Premier, Inc.Washington, DCPremier, Inc. (Nasdaq: PINC) is a healthcare performance improvement alliance of approximately 3,000 U.S. hospitals and 110,000 other providers. Our mission is simple: To improve the health of communities.